The 2025 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup, was the 124th edition of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league, run by the Rugby Football League (RFL).
Background
Following discussions in 2024, it was announced that the format was being revised and there would now only be seven rounds of competition, down from the nine rounds used in recent seasons. The changes saw the Championship and League One clubs entering in round 2 (round 3 in 2024), and the Super League clubs entering in round 3 (round 6 in 2024), with all 12 super league teams playing away in round 3.[1] The change followed criticism that the previous format favoured Super League clubs, and reducing the opportunities for smaller clubs to stage a tie against a big club.[2]
The competition started in January 2025, and concluded with the final on 7 June at Wembley Stadium.[3]
12 from other English regional leagues (outside the NCL)
First round
The draw for the first and second rounds of the competition were made on 2 December 2024.[6]
Wath Brow Hornets were originally drawn against West Bowling. On 6 January 2025 the Wath Brow club informed the RFL that they would concede the tie, citing "player safety" as the reason. The early rounds of the competition coincide with a period during which full contact training and playing is restricted for amateur teams that play during the summer by the RFL operational rules. Wath Brow considered that the risks to their players were too great to participate in the tie against West Bowling.[7] The RFL invited Cutsyke Raiders to replace Wath Brow. As Cutsyke play during the winter, the club is not affected by the no-contact period.[8]
A majority of the fixtures were postponed from the original weekend of 11/12 January due to bad weather but were rescheduled for the following weekend.[9]
Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 1
The draw for the third round took place live on BBC Sport, on 14 January 2025. The draw was made by RFL vice president Danika Priim, and Betfred owner Fred Done.[16]
Ahead of round 3, the integrity of the competition came into question, with the "Super League teams guaranteed to be played away from home" being reversed or moved to neutral venues for every tie between Super League and amateur clubs. This was done on the basis of amateur grounds not meeting the standards for matches involving professional clubs.[17] The RFL was also criticised for failing for foresee this situation arising when the new format was announced.[18]
Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 3
The draw for the quarter-finals took place on Monday 17 March 2025, live on BBC Radio 5 Live sport.[27]
The attendance of 20,226 at the Hull Derby, was the highest attendance at a cup match outside a final since the 1989 quarter final between Leeds and Widnes.[28] Despite increased attendances at games, the televised games viewing figures were less than hoped for due to competition with the Grand National on Saturday.[29]
Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of Quarter finals
The draw for the semi-finals took place on Sunday 6 April 2025, during half time between Warrington Wolves and St Helens live on BBC Two.
Matches were played as part of a double header, alongside the women's semi finals. Saturday's semi-final received a peak television audience of 528,000 accounting for 9.6% of the viewer share, while Sunday's game received 396,000 accounting for 4.5%.[30]
Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of semi finals
^Wests Warriors were drawn at home but agreed to play at Leeds Rhinos as their own ground was unusable.[19]
^ West Hull were drawn at home but agreed to play at Hull KR as their own ground was unusable.[20]
^No official attendance given but people were admitted without counting to reduce queues at the gates and prevent the start of the game being delayed.[21]
^York Acorn were drawn at home but agreed to play at Featherstone as their own ground was unusable.[22]
^Match switched to Belle Vue by agreement between the clubs.[23]
